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07-07-2012, 03:25 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 352
M.O.C. #12394
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Axle Spacing not equal
Now, I have never been accused of being a smart man, but I'm pretty sure the center point (grease zert) on my axles are supposed to be evenly spaced on both sides. Mine are not.
When I was putting my x-chocks on, I noticed that one had to be tightened more than the other to fit in between the tires. With a quick measurement (with the x-chocks removed) there is about 1/2 inch difference between sides. I started looking at the tires and the tires on the drivers side are starting to cup the outside. This can't be good. With a quick look underneath, it does not seem that the axles have shifted on the springs any, so I am assuming it came from the factory like this.
So, with it being out of warranty (and being the second owner), will Keystone do anything about it? Thanks
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2013 F350 SRW King Ranch
2011 3400RL
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07-07-2012, 03:37 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Midlothian
Posts: 956
M.O.C. #40
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Did you look at the shackles and spring hangers. I had a hanger break on my 2001 and had the same thing.
As far as Keystone, you can call customer service and ask.
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07-07-2012, 03:52 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: South Shore
Posts: 6,009
M.O.C. #7110
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I have a different amount of space between the tires on our camper. I'm watching the tires for wear. I haven't noticed any yet but any wear would concern me. Our's pulls ok so I haven't been worrying to much about it.
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2011 GMC 4X4 dually CC, 6.6 Duramax with Allison Transmission. Formally 2001 Montana,2007 3400RL Montana, presently 2018 3401RS Alpine.
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07-07-2012, 04:04 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Rigs do get out of alignment just like cars. If that's the case you have to take it to a truck/trailer alignment center and get them put back in line. Uneven tire wear will tip you off.
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Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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07-07-2012, 04:09 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,707
M.O.C. #7992
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If you had to do any twisting and turning to get the rig parked this will torque the axles and make the spacing uneven. I always try to pull the unit straight forward for a few feet and then straight back to it's final position to remove such torque. I had the same thing happen as "awaywego" so a close look at your suspension might reveal the issue. Don't just look for broken parts but also twisted or bent components. Jim
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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07-07-2012, 05:58 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location:
Posts: 724
M.O.C. #10948
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"Cupping" is due to suspension issues which causes the tire to bounce. It's not really an alignment problem.
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07-07-2012, 08:52 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Chasenracin,
The alignment type stuff is generally not covered warranty. It is considered a user item. But if there are other then normal issues then Keystone may cover some aspects but generally plan on paying it all yourself. They consider these things as normal wear and tear items.
As far as the difference with the placement of the zerks on the axles the difference you mention are not too much different from what many of us would have on our rigs.
There are a couple of things that can cause major problems... The spring hangers have been known to break. So they need to be looked at. And of course the shackles. On older models without the HD shackles with zerks must be looked at very carefully. In fact if they have 15 to 20K miles on them they probably need to be replaced with the HD kit! Good luck. Dennis
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07-08-2012, 12:43 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
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Chasenracin,
As jimcol wrote:
Quote:
quote:If you had to do any twisting and turning to get the rig parked this will torque the axles and make the spacing uneven.
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And, as he recommended, pull straight to reduce the stress on the axles.
As for your warranty question, the first thing I would look at is when the unit was purchased. Twelve months from the purchase date equates to your 1 year warranty.
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07-08-2012, 11:41 AM
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#9
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Established Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Richmond
Posts: 48
M.O.C. #8671
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It can also be caused by more weight on one side than the other.
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07-08-2012, 12:37 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ione
Posts: 582
M.O.C. #11371
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This summer I had 3 Mor/Ryde X Factor Crossmember's installed on my 3580RL Big Sky. I hope that will prevent a lot of the frame,axel and spring problems.
Frank
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07-08-2012, 02:45 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Oak Harbor
Posts: 1,530
M.O.C. #2471
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Ken,
I will venture a guess that the spacing is more on the driver's side of the rig than on the passenger's side. On the 3400 the driver side is heavier than the other with kitchen, entertainment, etc. on that side. We have a 3455 and experienced the same issue. It was so bad on the driver side that one of the tires was actually contacting the fender skirt on occasion. I opted to replace the stock 3500 lb. rated springs with 4000 lb. rated springs (4) from Dexter and that has resolved our issue.
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Previous:2004 Mountaineer 325FKBS,2010 Montana 3455SA Now:2018 Bighorn 3575EL (SOB's ) Res. Fridge,W/D,Disc Brakes,Water Softener,Dish Tailgater PRO,LioN Batts, several mods.
2021 RAM 3500 Laramie.... "LOADED", 4x4, SB H.O. 6.7L, Aisin Trans, PullRite Super Glide Hitch, 52 Gallon Titan Fuel Tank.
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07-08-2012, 04:54 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,046
M.O.C. #5329
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There was discussion on this awhile back, and the concensus was that the factory does not align the axles properly. a good frame shop should be able to do it for you.
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07-08-2012, 04:56 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 352
M.O.C. #12394
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Thanks everyone for your help. I will just keep an eye on them for now. Next time I pull it out of storage (this weekend) I'll double check for any bent parts I might have missed. It has pulled fine the 800 mi I have towed it so far. Just something else to watch.
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2013 F350 SRW King Ranch
2011 3400RL
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07-09-2012, 05:48 PM
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#14
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Libby
Posts: 98
M.O.C. #9080
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I had the same issue, I just installed the wet bolt kit and the axles appear to be properly spaced now. The bolts and thin shackles were wearing and the plastic bushings were about used up.
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07-10-2012, 01:22 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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It could be as simple as your brakes being unequally adjusted. Unhook power cable from truck and roll backward and forward , check spacing.
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07-10-2012, 03:28 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,751
M.O.C. #7753
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I noticed that nobody mentioned another possibility, take a torque wrench and check your U-bolts. They have come loose on several rigs and caused serious problems. they should be torqued to 70+ ft-lbs. Rich stripped the rubber right off new tires when his slipped. This situation has not been brought up for several months and needs to be. Mine were also very loose the first time I checked them, in fact 3 of the 8 nuts were only finger tight....
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